The Upgrade trade

Authors are about to become the next creators to be stripped of any financial reward for their hard work. With the popularity of the ipad and many other cheaper e-book readers, the publishing world will see a gradual decline in sales. As a big gadget geek this is one item I'm trying to avoid like the plague. My eyes you see... are becoming weaker and weaker. What did a co-worker say? "Oh, just get them lasered". Are you kidding me?

Although I've managed to get a lot of kids hooked to reading, I'm relieved to learn that many of them prefer the plush paper copies of literature. I've read a number of pros and con sites and I'm still skeptical.

The argument:

"They're much more environmentally friendly. You don't have to kill a few trees for each book, and let's not even talk about the ink. Recycling only goes so far."

Really? I doubt that. Most Apple products are designed to break down after three years so that consumers will upgrade. Batteries are not exactly all that resourceful and well... hasn't anyone ever heard of the LIBRARY??

It's called a library card. Go online, put book on hold, pick up. Read... and return!

The death of printing

Everyone is getting in on the game. Email, texting, twitter, and facebook have replaced the courtesy of picking up the phone to speak in person. Why talk when you can reach for your blackberry and type away? Why personally ask to see someone to "catch-up" when you can post photos on facebook?

I'm old school. While everyone sends emails, I send letters. Instead of an impersonal e-card, I send a card to each and EVERY person. So it should not be surprising which side of the fence I'm on when it comes to books.

With the downfall of the music industry and growing concern for the film industry to halt piracy, the publishing industry is in the biggest danger of all. The film industry is launching 3D as their newest weapon against piracy (and it's a good idea since home 3D is crap), musicians earn their income from touring, but what about authors? It can take months to YEARS for writers to publish a decent novel, and it would be heartbreaking to see all their sweat and toil unrewarded. Unfortunately they will (and it has already started) become the EASIEST target to steal from with the onslaught of ebooks available on Amazon.

Raised on computers at a relatively young age, my eyes can glaze over print and absorb enough info with a quick downward scroll with relative ease. Yet there's something cheap and unsatisfying about reading a book from a screen. I can't even say, "ooh but it saves trees" because my only thought turns to the waste of energy it takes to power the LED screen. If you're fortunate enough to live in a town/city with a public library, used book store, or book trading club, reading need not be expensive.

Wired magazine recently discussed the pressure of Apple's new iPad launch as the catalyst of Amazon's move to push ebook pricing lower. Their argument that the $0.00 production cost of creating an ebook and the mere $3 higher price that the publishers are fighting for doesn't weigh against how many more books the $9.99 price would sell. No one stands to lose more than the writers themselves, and the publishers are standing their ground for all the money they spend to edit, advertise, market and launch their creative group.

Sadly, the snowball effect has already begun, and there's no stopping this train. Self publishing has opened the gate for amateur writers to flood the market, but is that a good thing? Readers left with too much choice will have to rely on recommendation lists, critics' reviews and word of mouth to wade through the growing possibilities.

Techno paper

Am I a traditionalist? Not really. I understand the argument that ebook readers will save valuable trees, will be less hassle, less cost, and more accessible... but is it really good for you?

My job requires me to stare at the computer monitor at least eight hours a day, usually pushing past the twelve hour point, so I ask myself... isn't that enough?

But they sure make these new gadgets tempting. With the ease of online downloads, portability, and lightweight design, it'll soon be the next "status symbol" next to blackberries, ipods and laptops. Sooner or later there will be optional "blinged out" casing or a "Prada" version ebook readers equipped with online web surfing, video player and camera installed.

The repetitive harsh LED screen flashing imagery into strained eyes will slowly erode any connection to the world around us while we read our favourite novel as we shuttle home. I imagine that a few years from now laser eye surgery will become a prerequisite for the thirty to forty crowd with a freebie hearing aid tossed in for all those kids blasting their ipods into their poor ears. One reason to support strong health care funding, we'll all need it.